Slain Memphis officer's 4 children awarded to grandfather

In a surprise decision, a Probate Court judge Friday awarded custody of a slain policewoman’s four children to their grandfather rather than to either of the two sides fighting for them in court.

Judge Robert Benham ruled that the girls’ paternal grandfather, Marvin Woods, is the most appropriate adult to be in charge of the girls, whose ages are 2, 12, 14 and 15.

They are the daughters of Memphis police officer Martoiya Lang, who was shot to death on Dec. 14 while serving a drug warrant at a home in the Berclair area.

Her estranged husband, Darius Lang, and her mother, Vivian Woods Taylor, were involved in a three-week trial, both seeking custody of the children, but neither impressing Benham as suitable guardians.

Lang, 34, is a plumber with a modest income, who’s $11,000 behind in child support and has a criminal record. He told the court he lives with his girlfriend, by whom he has two other children. He is the father of the three oldest children of Martoiya Lang.

Taylor, who the judge found to be “hostile”on the witness stand, has been at odds with Darius Lang during longstanding disputes between him and her daughter while their divorce was pending.

She is divorced, retired and has custody of two other grandchildren.

Benham told Marvin Woods to report to the court in 45 days about where the children will live and attend school. The judge also set a child-support hearing for the end of the month to determine how much Darius Lang will pay.

Memphis Police Association President Michael Williams said the union is holding $340,000 donated by the public for the children and that the union’s attorney is talking to the judge to determine how best to use or invest the money in a trust.

City Atty. Herman Morris said $100,000 from a line-of-duty insurance policy on officer Lang has been deposited with Probate Court and that there may be additional federal funds since Lang was a law enforcement officer.